They called Dave Parker the “Cobra” and the nickname fit. He could strike with his bat, his legs and his throwing arm and during the last half of the 1970’s he could arguably make a claim as the best player in the league; in fact he did make that claim.

The stats agree with Mr. Parker. He was the most dangerous player at the plate if he wasn’t aiming for the fences he would calmly stroke a base hit and get on base. Parker had a beast of an arm from the outfield and was as good defensively as he was with the bat. Parker was so good and beloved in Pittsburgh that he was able to make fans forget that Roberto Clemente was not in the field anymore. That in itself is one impressive feat.

Sadly for Parker, cocaine is a hell of a drug. His increasing weight, numerous injuries and drug problems made him the shell of the player he was in the early 80’s and the love he had in Pittsburgh went away. Parker did resurrect his career in Cincinnati and posted good numbers but his lost years in Pittsburgh may have prevented him from hitting the 3,000 hit plateau.

Make no mistake about how good Dave Parker was. Sure he had problems in the early 80’s but he didn’t go away and became a star again mid way through the decade. With Jim Rice getting in, a look at the similar numbers of Dave Parker may be in order. Chances are that it will happen but from a Veteran’s Committee down the road.

Should Dave Parker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in!
Maybe, but others deserve it first.
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.
No opinion.
No way!

Comments

Why doesn't Dave Parker get more love? Maybe it was because he was one of the players caught up in the cocaine scandal in the 1980s. However, he was a great player. Winning one MVP, finishing second once, third twice, and another fifth shows that he was dominant for a long time as do his career stats.

The first item to catch my eye was the comparison to Jim Rice. True, Rice did get into the Hall eventually, but even as a Red Sox fan I don't think Rice belongs in the Hall. Like Andre Dawson, and like Dave Parker, he was a very good player, one of the better players in the history of the game [comment has been truncated]

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